Ohio River Basin Restoration

Ohio River Basin Restoration Plan 

Led by the National Wildlife Federation, Ohio River Way continues to serve as a key stakeholder in the development of the Ohio River Basin Restoration Plan, along with dozens of regional partners that constitute the Ohio River Basin Alliance. Together, we are working with federal legislators, including Ohio River Basin Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Morgan McGarvey, to pursue a goal of bringing significant federal funding to restore the ecology of the Ohio River basin, an area unifying nearly 30 million people across parts of 14 states. 

Read the Full Draft Report (June 2025)

Kentucky Ohio River Regional Recreation Authority (KORRRA) 

In partnership with bill sponsor Rep. Ken Fleming, Ohio River Way has led advocacy for the passage of HB 712, establishing the Kentucky Ohio River Regional Recreation Authority. The new Authority will have two primary benefits: 1) it will serve as a vehicle to carry funding from future state appropriations and eligible grants, and 2) it will provide a coordinated and comprehensive approach to infrastructure aimed at increasing outdoor recreation access and improving quality of life along the Ohio River corridor. All 25 Kentucky counties bounding the Ohio River will be eligible to join the new Authority. Ohio River Way will continue to work with its partners to build awareness and support for the Authority across eligible counties. 

Visit KORRRA

National Water Trail Designation 

In partnership with the National Park Service, Ohio River Way is working to bring increased recreation access to paddlers and boaters along an approximately 300 mile stretch of the Ohio River. To date, they have documented and mapped all public access points and are currently pursuing new signs and access improvements to bring additional awareness and safety to the Ohio River, both as a recreation resource and an amenity and asset for river communities to pursue tourism, economic development, and quality of life initiatives.